Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-26

of his horse a short time befors
in the streets of New Orleans
Hooker sent spring wagon ant
an officer Of his staff to the depot, bu
for some reason he did not go himself
As was to take the same train south
ward bound to get back TO Bridgeport
before dark, its arrival found me there
at the station in waiting. had pre-
sumed that General Grant would stay
over night with General Hooker, but
this presumption was not correct
Several acquaintances among the
officers on the train met me
as / stepped into the forward car
General Grant was pointed out to me
and passed on at once, as was proper
to pay my respects to him. Imagine
my surprise when / saw him. He
had been for fome time before the pub
lie, the successful commander in
important. battles; the papers
had said much OF him, and several
virulent sheets much against him,
and so, Judging from accounts, | had
conceived him to be of large size and
rough appearance. The actual man
was quite different, not larger than
Mcclellan, at the time rather thin in
flesh and very pale in complexion,
and noticeably self-constrained and
retiring. Without rising he extended
his hand as | presented mine, smiled
pleasantly, and signitied very briefly
that it gave him pleasure to meet me.
He then permitted me to continue the
converse ion. General Hooker's staff
officer came with the tender Of u
conveyance and tie offer of ofhospitality.
The quick reply made with quiet firm
ness at the time astonished me.
"lf General Hooker wishes to see
me, he will find me on this train" |
hardly need say that Hooker very SOON
presented himself and offered his
courtesies in person to his new COM
mander.
Hooker was tall, of full build, rud-
dy, handsome, then in the prime of
life. | wondered at the contrast be-
tween the two men and pondered
upon the manner of their meeting.
Grant evidently took the first occasion
to assert himself. He never LETT the
necessity for gaining proper ascend
ancy over subordinate generals, where
it was likely to be questioned, to a
second interview. Yet he manifested
only quiet firmness.
One who knew General Grant init
matelv says: "He was always in the
same manner, never elated by victory
or cast down by defeat. He met all
sorts of fortune stolidly. His conf
dence in himself never failed" This
may be true, but l think not. L once
heard Mrs. Grant say: "People seem
to think Mr.. Grant can bear any
amount of strain, but it is not SO. His
system is sensitive and he suffers
much with dreadful headaches" 1t
is not want of feeling or sympathy,
not stolidity, that enabled Grant al
ways to preserve his cheerful, hopeful
demeanor. He had confidence in
himself, it is true, but it was because
he knew of a power beyond self be-
cause he was helped and strengthened
by that real power beyond
self. You may call it spirit
Providence, or God. The name is not
material. One friend declares, "He
had great faith in luck" His knowl
edge OF man, amounting to insight,
did not come from lucky wits. Plans
like that at Vicksburg were not at
tributable to lucky ventures. No,
they came from solid brain, warmed
and frightened by true heart, all of
which were helped to enlightenment
by the truest adjuster of human
events, the king of kings. So have
long believed and so General Grant
himself believed.
At the close of the lecture vote of
thanks was rendered General Howard
and his many armycomrades crowded
about him to grasp his one remaining
hand.
Owing to the lateness of the hour
Rev. j. NJ. Harvey postponed his lee
ture on "The Preacher in His Parish"